February 5,12,19 & March 5th

This class will teach you all the basics for making your first quilt from start to finish. From pressing to borders you’ll learn it all. Whether you’ve never made a quilt before or you want to freshen up on the fundamentals, this class is for you.

Wednesday, February 18th

Your sewing machine’s best friend has finally come to the rescue. The sewing machine mat with pockets make handy tools accessible as well as protecting your table. Add the pincushion to complete the deal.

Tuesday, February 24th

Need some extra time and instruction on a project? Stumped on the next step of something you started? Join Daniela and get the help you need with those WIP’s (Work-in-progress). This is a free form class that you can bring your own project and work at your own pace!

Wednesday, February 25th

CASTLE COURTYARD
Time: 10am to 3pm
Instructor: Kathy Dyas
Fee: $35

I love creating beautiful quilts that are easy to make. This quilt is simply using squares and half-square triangles. The perfect quilt to highlight your favorite fabric inside this lovely center block.

Wednesday, February 25th OR Saturday, February 28th

Curvy, Geometric or Both? Learn what style you like best in this free-motion quilting class. You will learn the basics of free motion quilting. This is a no mark technique workshop where you will be introduced to several different free motion quilting patterns.
Student will learn:
-about thread, machine feet, needles and batting
-how to ready your machine
-starting and stopping
-several free-motion quilting designs (curvy and geometric)

Wednesday, February 25th OR Saturday, February 28th

Feathers are the classic quilt motif. Learn the basics of creating feathers from the “shell/teardrop” shape in this free-motion quilting class. This is a minimal/no mark technique workshop where you will be introduced to several different feather patterns.
Student will learn:
-about thread, machine feet, needles and batting
-how to ready your machine
-starting and stopping
-several free-motion quilting feather motifs (with spine, without spine, free form and funky feathers)

Sewing Classes

Monday, February 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd

Learn how to take exact body measurements and make a Body Glove Pattern out of muslin. Learn to cut & spread body glove to make a pattern that fits you perfect. Adapt body glove to make your own pattern.

Tuesday, February 3rd, 5pm-8pm OR Wednesday, Feb 4th, 9am-12pm

In this class we will be learning how to finish your project to make it look professional. You will learn several hand hemming techniques, Top Stitching, Pressing seams – straight and curved, Button Placement, Sewing on buttons, Making Button Shanks, Closing openings – Such as on a pillow, and other “tricks of the trade”

Monday, February 9th

Learn what TO DO and NOT TO DO when hand hemming dress pants, dresses, jeans, and skirts. You will learn at least 3 different hand hemming techniques and how to use your blind hem stitch on your sewing machine and other useful hemming tips.

Friday February 13th

Discover the best ways to avoid: puckering, wrinkling and distortion. We will take your machine embroidery to new heights by referencing which needles, marking and hooping method work best for an assortment of fabric types.

Home Décor

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Grommet draperies are a popular style, and are simple to make once you learn the basic steps and techniques. In this class you will make one, sample size grommet top drapery panel with lining. You will leave class ready to make grommet draperies for you own home!

Home Décor Days

Saturday, February 21st

Join Susan Woodcock, AKA Home Dec Gal at Mary Jo's Cloth Store every Saturday of the month for free home decor mini workshops starting at 11am.

Clubs

Saturday, January 10, 2015

EL CAMINO REAL BLOCK OF THE MONTH

From Nancy Rink, this quilt pairs her flair for color with prints inspired by California's rich history, a blend of Spanish Mexican and Native American traditions. Bright color and intricate motifs echo the decorative tile work of El Camino Real (The King's Highway) and the architecture of the region. The finished quilt measures 94 1/2" x 114".

During this 12-month Block of the Month program, you will receive the pattern and fabrics needed to complete the quit top including borders and binding. There is a $30 non-refundable start-up fee and then only $25.95 per month. Save $90 and pay for the entire 12 months at once for $280! Classes start the first Saturday of February 2015 and continue the first Saturday of each month from 9 am – 10 am.

Saturday, February 14th

Last month we focused on MonogramWorks this month we will take a closer look at FontWorks. So, for all of you that have Designer’s Gallery Fontworks and are not sure how to use the Appliqué feature we will be doing a demo lecture on how to create these beautiful appliqué monograms. We will resize for both large and small hoop sizes. Great for tote bags, pockets, towels and more! Club is located in the Mary Jo’s Sewing Center – Baby Lock embroidery machines will be set up for the perfect hands on experience! You do not need to own a Baby Lock embroidery machine to come. We welcome all wanna be embroiders’ as well as those that have embroidered for years. So expect to have a great time!

Class Policy:

-The class fee must be collected when you sign up for the class to guarantee your seat. Each fee is listed next to the class listing.
-If you cannot attend a class for which you have registered you must let us know 7 days prior to class time. We will be happy to refund your class fee and/or register you in another class.
/
-If you cancel after the 7-day time allowance, up until the day of the class, your class fee is nonrefundable.
-A minimum of 3 students is required for class. If this requirement is not met, usually the class will be canceled and you will be refunded your class fee.
Mary Jos reserves the right to cancel classes for any reason. If this happens, you will be refunded your class fee.
-There are no refunds on class fees for 'Special Event' teachers/classes within 30 days of class date unless we can fill your spot with another person. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Monday, January 19, 2015

Decorative throw pillows are a fast and easy way to update your décor. Adding fringe will take your pillow designs to the next level! One popular type of fringe for pillow edges is “brush fringe” which is sewn into the seam to create a beautiful, plush edging. Mary Jo’s Cloth Store has a wide selection of brush fringe with a variety of sizes and styles in solid or comingled colors.

When shopping for brush fringe, you may notice that the fringe is stitched along both sides. One edge is firm and woven; this is the side that is sewn in the seam. The other edge, or cut edge, has a chain stitch to hold all the threads together. This makes sewing much easier and keeps the fringe neat and tidy. Don’t be tempted to pull the chain stitch until your project is finished – that is the last step!

Learn how to make your own pillow with brush fringe using the step-by-step instructions below. We would love to see your finished pillows! You can share photos on our facebook page here, or email to maryjocloth@gmail.com.

Step-by-Step:

1. Cut two pieces of fabric for the front and back of the pillow, adding 1-inch for seam allowances. For this pillow the fabric was cut 18” x 18”. It always looks best to center the pattern motif on at least one side of the pillow.

2. The fabric used for this pillow frayed so the edges were serged. If you are using a thin fabric you can add lining or a light-weight interfacing to the reverse side.

3. Make a notch, or a mark on the center of each side of the front and back pieces.

4. Starting in the center, at the bottom of the pillow front piece, sew the fringe to the outside edges on the face side.. Use a long stitch length (set at 3.5 to 4) and push the fringe towards the foot as you sew. This would be a great time to use a walking foot or compensating foot on your machine.

5. As you are sewing, curve the fringe around the corners. Do not clip and turn at a right angle.

6. When you have sewn all the way around the edges, cut off any excess fringe allowing for the two ends to overlap ½-inch and sew.

7. The front of the pillow now has the fringe sewn to all four sides. It may look a little drawn-in, this is because the outer chain stitch has not been released yet.

8. Pin the front piece to the back piece, face-to-face and lining up the center marks. Pin in the center, and on each corner. Sew together the front and back with the bottom piece underneath. Make your stitching just to the inside of the previous stitch line. Be sure to leave an opening along the bottom edge for turning right sides out.

9. Turn the pillow right sides out. Press with an iron if needed and insert a pillow form.

10. Stuff with a pillow form. (Tip: Use a form that is 1 inch larger for a tight, plump pillow). Reach each inside and push down the seams, making sure they are all pushed in the same direction. Pin together the opening and hand stitch closed. A zipper closure is not recommended with brush fringe unless it is inset on the back, and not in the seam.

11. Your pillow is finished and now you can pull the chain stitch away from the edges and fluff the fringe.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Quilting Classes

Wednesday, Jan 7

A great little accessory for your quilting needs. Whether you need a place to store your quilt rulers or transport them to your class / retreat. Multi pockets to hold a 12 1/2” square and an 8 1/2”x 24 1/2” plus a rotary cutter.

Thursday Jan 8, 15, 22, & 29

This class will teach you all the basics for making your first quilt from start to finish. From pressing to borders you’ll learn it all. Whether you’ve never made a quilt before or you want to freshen up on the fundamentals, this class is for you.

Thursday, Jan 8, 15, 22, & 29

This class will teach you all the basics for making your first quilt from start to finish. From pressing to borders you’ll learn it all. Whether you’ve never made a quilt before or you want to freshen up on the fundamentals, this class is for you.

Tuesday, Jan 13th

CHENILLE IT!!!
Time: 10 am - 3 pm
Instructor: Daniela Hogan
Fee: $35

Have you ever fallen in love with a preprinted panel but not known what to do with it? Chenille it!!! In this class you will learn this stunning technique that works on any sized panel!

Saturday, January 17th

This quilt is an amazing refresher from geometry class, but don’t worry, there will not be a quiz. Eight inch squares have never been so much fun. You will learn how to make an 8” square and placing 1” strips in each square.

Saturday January 17th

Learn to make these amazing bowls, baskets and purses from clothesline and fabric, using simple wrapping and coiling methods and zigzag stitching. You’ll make one project in class, but you’ll learn the techniques to make any project. These projects are easy and FUN to make and they make great gifts! Anyone and everyone can do this!!

Tuesday January 20th

BRIAR ROSE
Time: 10am to 3pm
Instructor: Daniela Hogan
Fee: $35

If you love scrappy quilts you won't want to miss this class! Do you like the look of this quilt but you don't want to sew 16 small squares together? You won't, because I've got a great technique to streamline the process.

Wednesday, Jan 21

The perfect bag to organize your life. From Quilting & Sewing supplies for classes, a first aid kit, or a travel bag for a quick weekend getaway. What a great way to showcase your favorite fabrics. Just Grab, Go, & Sew.

Curvy, Geometric or Both? Learn what style you like best in this free-motion quilting class. You will learn the basics of free motion quilting. This is a no mark technique workshop where you will be introduced to several different free motion quilting patterns.

Wednesday, January 21st

Learn the basics of painting with thread. In this class student will learn how to add color, shading and highlights to a flat area to give it dimension.
Student will learn:
-learn about stabilizers
-what threads work well for thread painting
-how to build color
-how to add overall color, shading and highlights

In this class we will be learning how to finish your project to make it look professional. You will learn several hand hemming techniques, Top Stitching, Pressing seams – straight and curved, Button Placement, Sewing on buttons, Making Button Shanks, Closing openings – Such as on a pillow, and other “tricks of the trade”

Saturday January 17th

Making a unique and color-coordinated memory board is an easy and fast project to brighten up someone’s day. Join Laurie Medford as she walks through prepping the base and completing the upholstery for a one-of-a-kind memory board. Different ways to hang the memory board will be shown. Plan to join the hand’s-on class to create your very own memory board.

Home Decor

January 15th

Learn professional tips and techniques for sewing a gathered and pleated dust ruffles for your bed.
After completing this class, you will have a better understanding of how to dress beds with a variety of dust ruffle styles, and the knowledge to sew your own custom dust ruffle with confidence!

Saturday January 31st

Looking for a quick way to spruce up your dining room chairs? Is it time to recover the seats but you are not sure how to go about it? It’s easier than you think once you learn the basics of pulling fabric for professional corners. Join Laurie Medford as she walks through tearing down the existing seat, prepping the padding for the new fabric and then pulling the fabric for a perfect upholstered seat. Tips on when to change out the padding will be shared as well as three styles of corners. Join the demo session for the basics and then plan to attend the hands-on class to recover your won dining room chair seats.

every 3rd Saturday of the Month beginning on August 16th

Class Policy:

-The class fee must be collected when you sign up for the class to guarantee your seat. Each fee is listed next to the class listing.
-If you cannot attend a class for which you have registered you must let us know 7 days prior to class time. We will be happy to refund your class fee and/or register you in another class.
/
-If you cancel after the 7-day time allowance, up until the day of the class, your class fee is nonrefundable.
-A minimum of 3 students is required for class. If this requirement is not met, usually the class will be canceled and you will be refunded your class fee.
Mary Jos reserves the right to cancel classes for any reason. If this happens, you will be refunded your class fee.
-There are no refunds on class fees for 'Special Event' teachers/classes within 30 days of class date unless we can fill your spot with another person. NO EXCEPTIONS!

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Hope all is well with you and yours! I still Love, Love, Love Mary Jo's!! I recently started 'giving back' by teaching sewing classes at my church. We are planning a trip to Mary Jo's before Thanksgiving. I have been in the store, off and on with visitors, acting as a Tour Guide. It's alot of fun to see their eyes pop when they first see the masses of fabrics.;0) La ToyaMiss Pretty Handbags

ASK MARY JO

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ASK MARY JO...

Mary Jo’s Business Philosophy...We were recently asked, How do we keep our prices so low?This is the answer…In 1951 when Mary Jo's Cloth Store first opened, Mary Jo made a promise to keep prices affordable. Her goal was to be able to serve a Grandmother making a dress or quilt for her grandchild or a young Mother who needed to make affordable clothes for her children. Since the beginning Mary Jo has held tightly to this philosophy. Over the years her business has grown, the location has changed and people come from all corners of the globe to shop. "Mary Jo's Cloth Store" has been doing mail order for many years and has now launched an online component that will serve her customers easily and still be very affordable. It is important to Mary Jo that she continues to bring her customers the highest quality fabric at the lowest price. So in answer to the question “How does Mary Jo's Cloth Store keep their prices so low?” Simple, it is because we have a lower profit margin and a high volume. So the more you shop, the more you save! Log on to check out our fabrics and notions at www.maryjos.com

Great Service...

Mary Jo's employees are like family. These are the folks that make things happen. Most of Mary Jo's workers have been helping you for decades. They enjoy the atmosphere and enjoy being at the store. At "Mary Jo's Cloth Store" we have old fashioned values and believe that good workers deserve to be treated like family.